Silver-Plated & Gilt Cutlery Set - Louis XIV Style - 118-Piece Service for 12 - Bruno Wiskemann - Brussels, 1924

An exceptionally luxurious and complete 118-piece silver-plated and partially gilt cutlery service by Belgian silversmith Bruno Wiskemann, presented in its original fitted case. Made in Brussels in 1924, the service is designed in the stately Louis XIV style, with elegant decoration featuring laurel wreaths and festoons.

The serving pieces, coffee spoons and salt cellars are partially gilded. Besides enhancing the visual richness of the set, gilding has a practical advantage: gold resists tarnishing and does not impart a metallic taste, making it particularly suitable for pieces that come into contact with food.

The original, custom-fitted cutlery case has two fitted trays and a hinged lid bearing the Bruno Wiskemann logo. The service is precisely dated to 1924, placing it among the earliest productions associated with the collaboration between Bruno Wiskemann and Wolfers Frères.

Inside the case is a handwritten business card from the British shipping and trading company Gellatly Hankey & Co., bearing a handwritten message indicating that the cutlery service was presented to its original owner as a wedding gift in 1924. This historical document adds a personal dimension to the set and provides a fascinating glimpse into its original ownership.

Contents – 118 pieces

Main cutlery service

-12 dinner spoons: 21.5 cm (8.5 in)
- 12 dinner knives: 26.5 cm (10.4 in)
- 12 dinner forks: 21.2 cm (8.3 in)
- 12 dessert spoons: 18 cm (7.1 in)
- 12 dessert knives: 21.5 cm (8.5 in)
- 12 dessert forks: 17.9 cm (7.0 in)
- 12 teaspoons: 14.5 cm (5.7 in)
- 12 oyster forks: 13.3 cm (5.2 in)
- 12 coffee spoons: 11.6 cm (4.6 in)

Serving pieces and accessories

- 1 soup ladle
- 1 cake server
- 1 salad serving spoon
- 1 salad serving fork
- 1 sugar sifter
- 1 pair of sugar tongs
- 2 salt cellars
- 2 salt spoons

In very good overall condition. Both the gilding and the and silver plating remains beautifully preserved. The knife blades show some oxidation, and several dessert knife blades appear to have been substantially resharpened through previous use (shorter blades). One dessert knife has a dent in the handle and the dessert forks have some wear on the tines. 

All pieces are marked with [BW][100] and [B. Wiskemann. The backs of the dinner spoons and dinner forks bear an elegant decorative monogram.